for discontent : for it brings eternity to view : and a person, once beginning to feel the value of his soul and the importance of eternity, contemplates with more than common interest the advantages which men of learning and of leisure have, for the acquisition of knowledge, and the advancement of their eternal interests. A bond-slave, for instance, whose every hour is devoted to some laborious task, and to whom the very means of grace are denied by a cruel master, what prospect, it may be said, has he of attaining salvation, in comparison of one whose wealth and independence place within his reach every assistance that he can stand in need of? Can we wonder if a person so circumstanced murmur and I'epine at his hard lot? Such, no doubt, was tiie state of many, both of wives and servants, whom the Apostle speaks of in the preceding context. And hence arose the necessity for the encouragement which he affords the bond-slave, saying, " If thou art called, being a servant, care not for it :" and for the direction which, with an emphatical repetition, he gives to all ; " Whereinsoever any man is called, let him therein abide with God."]
A juster view of the Gospel, therefore, will lead us to contemplate, II. The conduct which it ought rather to inspire —
A relinquishment of our calling is not that which the Gospel recommends. A continuance in it is rather enjoined, whether to those who are unhappily yoked to an unbelieving partner, or to those who are subjected even to the most oppressive bondage : for though it admits, that liberty, if tendered, is rather to be preferred, it still requires that no unlawful effort be made to obtain it. In whatever state a man be called to the knowledge of the truth, he should abide therein with God ; that is,
1. In submission to his will —
[Every state should be regarded as appointed us of God. Whatever be the means which are instrumental to the fixing of our lot, still it must be considered as disposed altogether by Him who " doeth all thmgs after the counsel of his own will." There was not a tribe, no, nor an individual, in all Israel, whose inheritance was not appointed of the Lord. And so it is in every age, and every place. Now, we know that God orders every thing with perfect wisdom : and, whether we see the reasons of his dispensations or not, he will shew, in due season, that he has done all things well. He acts in reference to mankind at large, as he has done in reference to our natural